When Governor Andy Beshear is inaugurated in two weeks, he'll be the third governor to serve two consecutive terms.

But his lieutenant governor is also making history.

Jacqueline Coleman will be the first woman to serve two terms.

Does she want the top spot?

I posed that question to her when she stopped by our studios earlier today.

What's going to be for you after these four years?

Because you have to already decide some time, given the fact that there was almost a $60 million race in 2023 in order to build up a war chest, in order to build up your profile even more than you have now.

When will you decide and when will you announce that you'll run for governor of Kentucky?

I've never been one to plan so far ahead.

I really do.

Just try to make the next right decision.

And that has led me to where I am today.

And so I'd like to say that that's working for me so far.

So I really do try to take that next step, make the next right decision, and see where it takes me.

And so that's what I'll keep doing.

And and to me, that is that's what leads me where I'm supposed to be.

And, you know, at my my dad, you say you never want to get too out too far over your skis.

Right.

And so that's what I'll keep doing.

And when the time comes, I think the decision will be clear.

But that time is not right now.

We've got so many things that we have to accomplish to finish up all of this, all of the progress we've made in this first term.

And to me, that's what's going to shape the second term is the legacy of the Beshear Coleman administration and making sure that we we cement that and that we build off of this economic success, that we make sure that we keep prioritizing public education.

Those are the things that have made a successful and those are the things that we're going to keep focusing on.

And all that other stuff will come some other time.

I just recall on election night being on the other side of the studio and seeing the victory hold between you and the governor, and there were conversations about not just these four years, but the next four years for both of you possibly national stage for the governor and possibly a bigger stage for you, lieutenant Governor.

With all due respect, have you not thought about being the state CEO?

So this seat offers me a unique opportunity.

It offers me a window into that that world.

It offers me a seat beside the CEO.

Right.

And so, of course, I pay attention.

Of course.

I think about strategizing and I think about how I can help and assist and advise.

And that's my job.

But again, at the end of the day, you know, these are decisions that really shouldn't be made right now, in my opinion, because the landscape of Kentucky is going to change.

The landscape of the country is going to change.

You never know what issue is going to creep up that you never saw coming.

If anyone knows that, it's us.

And so, again, it's really, truly about making that next right decision, thinking about it, being mindful about it, but also keeping an open mind to to opportunities out there.

We also talked about how her history making when could inspire other women to pursue elected office.

And she was open about dealing with what's called imposter syndrome, feelings of self-doubt about her political success.

You don't doubt that you could be a governor, a good governor, do you?

I would say I doubt myself.

Just in the day to day, day to day ways that are pretty common for women.

But I have loved this this opportunity.

I have loved this role and think about how I might be able to find myself in service throughout this second term and in the future.

I probably will still doubt myself, but I will always, always remember to do what I would tell my younger self to do.

Just do it.

Afraid, right?

Right now you can see my full interview with the lieutenant governor a week from Sunday, December the 10th on Connections at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, 10:30 a.m. Central.